Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70 fighter jets represent a momentous milestone in air defense for the world.
It’s coming as the first country from the Gulf Cooperation Council, Bahrain, will begin receiving this advanced variant.
The first four out of a total of thirty-two 4.5-generation fighters rolled out recently from Greenville, South Carolina to the Middle Eastern country.
The F-16 Block 70 comes with some high-tech Northrop Grumman APG-83 AESA radar along with advanced avionics and an updated cockpit.
Combining these technologies with conformal fuel tanks to increase range and the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, Auto GCAS, represents a full shift forward in capabilities for fighters.
F-16 will not be getting Auto GCAS; the system comes online in the U.S. Air Force only with the introduction of the F-35A.
He is an F-16 pilot who enlisted in 2014 and has made some incredible contributions in preventing controlled flight into terrain, which accounts for most F-16 pilot fatalities.
According to OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin: “This will be “The integration of this proven platform will allow the Royal Bahraini Air Force to effectively safeguard its skies and become a strong partner with many allies worldwide.
What marks the first F-16 Block 70 coming to Bahrain as one of the firsts in the air force upgradings countrywide?
So far, Lockheed Martin has delivered five jets to Bahrain and has 11 in various stages of production and testing, flying flight tests at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Demand for the F-16 is also very strong worldwide.
Lockheed Martin has booked 133 F-16 Block 70/72 jets in its backlog and probably up to 300 more sales globally.
The F-16 has flown over 400,000 combat hours since entering service in 1979.
A testament to the effectiveness of the aircraft and its crew in such missions as air-to-air dogfighting and electronic warfare.
As Bahrain takes this bold step forward, the deepening partnership between the U.S. government, Bahrain, and Lockheed Martin remains a testament to the values of the partnership in defense and economic growth.